More and more and more I’m becoming aware of how un-focused I am on things that really matter. Or, to put it another way, how focused I am on things that don’t really matter. A couple of examples…
I’m a gear-head. I love blinky lights and stuff. I’m in a position where I have access to blinky lights which is really cool. I also don’t get to have every blinky light I’d like. But enough of that… I had the opportunity to purchase a large flat-screen tv. Fun. Too many options. Too many choices. Too many rationalizations. Yet, still fun. So, I obsessed about it. Like I had to tell you. Lots of research. Posturing. Thinking. I came to a point one evening last week where I wanted to continue to flog that horse, yet, God made it clear to me to put it to est. He said, “Stop the obsession, I’ll make it clear tomorrow.” So, I spent time with the kids. Did other stuff. Forced myself to steer clear of working on it.
Fully expecting writing in my dew drenched lawn the next morning, I was a bit disappointed when I didn’t get the final answer from God. I went shopping! Well, I continued to think and become obsessed with the purchase at the store. Then came the clarity, I had spent entirely too much time working on something where I ended up with what I had already determined to get months prior as I dreamed of what I’d get. The clarity wasn’t at all what I had expected. There was no “buy this one” leading. Actually, I have forgotten exactly what God had said, but, it put me in my place. Ugh.
Our church is in the middle of a building project. Lots and lots and lots of discussion. Last night it was about technology. Sound, lights and video. We debated 1 vs. 2 vs. 3 screens in the main auditorium. Lots of good ideas and discussion.
Then, after that meeting, I come to find out about marriages within the body that are struggling. So, we spend these countless man hours debating the building and yet the struggles OF the family are overlooked? Are we missing something? Now, the whole building thing is important. I do believe that. But as our time continues to get more limited, it sure starts to feel like we’re un-focused on the things that matter and focused on the things that don’t.
Maybe I should be like George in Seinfeld and do the exact opposite of what my first reaction is.
